Root canals have a bad reputation, and it isn't deserved. With proper anaesthesia, today's treatment feels like a slightly longer filling — and it is usually what ends the pain, not what causes it.
It removes the infected or irritated nerve inside the tooth, cleans and seals the canals, then protects the tooth. The goal: keep your tooth rather than extract it.
When is a root canal needed?
- Sharp or throbbing pain, especially at night or when chewing
- Sensitivity to heat that lingers long afterwards
- Deep decay that has reached the nerve
- A cracked tooth, or one weakened by an old injury
- An abscess: swollen gum, unpleasant taste, sometimes fever
What to expect
- Step 1
Diagnosis
An exam and a digital X-ray confirm the nerve is the cause and show the shape of the canals. We walk you through the options — including what happens if nothing is done.
- Step 2
Anaesthesia and isolation
The tooth is fully numbed. A rubber dam isolates it so we can work cleanly and comfortably.
- Step 3
Cleaning and sealing
The dentist removes the infected tissue, shapes and disinfects the canals, then seals them. Depending on the tooth, this takes one or two visits.
- Step 4
Protection
A treated tooth becomes more brittle. We restore it with a filling or, often for molars, a crown — we'll tell you which one and why.
What it changes
- The pain stops — usually within the first days
- You keep your tooth, your bite and your alignment
- The infection is treated before it spreads
- Less costly and simpler than an extraction followed by a replacement
Frequently asked questions
The treatment itself is done under local anaesthesia and most patients feel only pressure. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and manageable with common pain relievers.
Usually 60 to 90 minutes per visit. Molars, which have more canals, may need a second visit.
An infected nerve doesn't heal on its own. Waiting raises the risk of an abscess and can make the tooth impossible to save. If you're in pain, call us: we'll assess the situation promptly.
Often, yes, for molars and premolars, because the treated tooth is more fragile. For a front tooth, a filling is sometimes enough. The dentist will tell you before starting.